Bears, Buttons, and Large Cents...Wait what?!

[GKman]

Today I was running solo, and I decided to head back into the deep dark woods where I had done very well about twenty years ago. The woods have changed a lot since I was there last time but, that doesn't mean there isn't some interesting discoveries to be made.

I headed for where I had found an 1810 reale all those years ago and came upon a fairly decent signal probably about twenty to thirty feet from the reale find. It ended up being a nice large cent 1828 at about 10 inches, which is pretty deep for me as far as coins go. I worked my way along the stream in the area, since streams have always been lucky for me and found a nice button, unfortunately it wasn't a GW but I guy can dream can't he? As I was wandering along above the stream headphones on, and for some reason I looked up and there... WAS A BEAR! He looked at me, I looked at him, he looked at me some more and I started planning escape routes, or the nearest tree I could scramble up. He then took off like a shot and then stopped not far from where we had the started our staring contest, he then started to run again and disappeared over the ridge.

In all my years in the woods, I have not had a close encounter with a bear so, even if I hadn't found anything today I would still consider it a good day out....

Not the actual bear since this all happened quickly but almost exactly like I saw it..

 

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[FreeBirdTim]

If it was me I would be carrying the biggest handgun I could afford; like the .500 Smith & Wesson.

If it was me, I'd respect THEIR home and leave them alone.

 

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[MichiganMan]

Your funny.

He doesn't understand that if a bear is coming for you that no hand-clap or "bear spray" will stop it or even slow it down. By then it will be too late to wish you had a gun. Your dead! That's not to say that you shouldn't "do the hand-clap thingy" and shout and have bear spray on hand, and practice bear deterrent techniques but what I am saying is you can't go into bear territory with a "look at the cute little Barbie doll" attitude. That will get you killed or severely mauled.
Don't believe me... ain't convinced? Read a book called Killer Bears by Mike Cramond copyright 1981: or Maneaters by Peter Hathaway Capstick copyright 1981. That is all I will say on the subject since this is not the venue to go into a deep discussion on the matter.

That button has my full attention-- I hope somebody indentifies it...

Is that design a flower or dragonfly with a fishnet pattern around it. Could we get a couple more pictures from different angles please?

 

[Greylock]

Sorry the OP's thread got jacked but this is a serious thing for a lot of us. We aren't talking about the schoolyard downtown. I could 3 or 4 miles from a house sometimes without cell service. My headphones on and concentrating on the audio change. Sometimes you just come up on one and you can't do anything about it. I don't want to shoot anything but will defend myself.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

When I'm in the woods, I worry more about some moronic hunter shooting me in the back than I do about "vicious" bears running amok and mauling innocent detectorists!

 

[FreeBirdTim]

My headphones on and concentrating on the audio change. Sometimes you just come up on one and you can't do anything about it. I don't want to shoot anything but will defend myself.

Only a fool would walk through the woods in bear country with headphones on. Take the headphones off and stop worrying about killing something that just wants to be left alone.

 

[MichiganMan]

When I'm in the woods, I worry more about some moronic hunter shooting me in the back than I do about "vicious" bears running amok and mauling innocent detectorists!

Tim, we respect your opinion, and your "be around bears without violence in mind" I have many hippie friends that share the same opinion. They are welcome to not carry guns for protection... just practice deterrent techniques. But you must also respect our right to defend ourselves even if it means shooting and killing a bear. And as Greylock points out... there are many who have to contend with bears because they both have to live around each other and will eventually encounter one another at some point. But yea, I never really thought about having your earphones on and concentrating on finding treasure and then BAM! all of a sudden there is a bear! That is something that should be discussed amongst detectorists.

I would say a thread should be started in the proper place and some of these posts moved there.

 

[park pirate]

May be a good area but man wearing head phones and knowing bears could be out their ... You got brass brother...congrats on your finds...

 

[Greylock]

Only a fool would walk through the woods in bear country with headphones on. Take the headphones off and stop worrying about killing something that just wants to be left alone.

Real nice. I said I DIDN'T want to shoot anything. I'm not a hunter and have never killed anything in my life. I'm not against hunting at all. My whole family hunts but I could never bring myself to take the shot. I'm a little offended you took it there by the way.

 

[WilliamBoyd]

What's worse is getting back to your car and finding...

 

[Evolution]

Real nice. I said I DIDN'T want to shoot anything. I'm not a hunter and have never killed anything in my life. I'm not against hunting at all. My whole family hunts but I could never bring myself to take the shot. I'm a little offended you took it there by the way.

I agree Greylock. Providing some sound advice and lecturing people are two completely different things. FreeBirdTim doesn't seem to know the difference. Those darned "moronic" hunters!

 

[Ahab8]

Real nice. I said I DIDN'T want to shoot anything. I'm not a hunter and have never killed anything in my life. I'm not against hunting at all. My whole family hunts but I could never bring myself to take the shot. I'm a little offended you took it there by the way.

This is a bit ridiculous. First of all "bear country" can literally be almost anywhere. I personally just put one ear on when I'm in the woods. I also don't carry a gun while detecting but if I was worried about it or in an area that I thought it necessary I certainly would. I once accidentally got very close to a bear and it's cubs when I was younger. Thank god I had my rifle with me and was able to fire off a couple off warning shots because she was getting very aggressive. I can tell you that I'm not going to put my life on the line counting on some pepper spray. Bears have run through bullets while charging so I have little faith in the whole spray idea. I absolutely adore all animals and agree that we are entering there domain. But what are we supposed to do....just detect our own yards? God forbid anybody ever has to actually have a confrontation that requires action. I get sad when I see animals hit in the road. I hate it in fact. I stopped to carry a turtle across the road last week. But I have no problem with a person protecting themselves and being able to at least fire off a loud shot.
We should be upset with people baiting and tree ing bears with dogs. Not guys carrying gun into the woods just to be safe.

 

[Old Dude]

I detect in bear country but have always made it a strict policy to leave the headphones at home. It isn't just the bears, you need to be able to hear the rattlers warning you as well. Anyone who hikes in bear country knows a black bear's eyesight is not as acute as it's smelling capabilities, so making one aware of your presence is usually enough to scare them off, unless as stated, you find yourself between a mother and her very young cubs. This happened to me a few years ago, and watching an anxious and nervous bear that is unsure of your intentions is a very frightening thing. If you are going to hunt in their territory, you should take all precautions to avoid a confrontation with one. You will not outrun or outclimb one.
Btw, very nice finds. Sorry your thread has been diverted from your great original intent.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Didn't mean to lecture. I will drop out of this thread because I really don't want to offend any fellow detectorists with my "hippie" beliefs.

 

[GKman]

Thanks everyone... I don't really mind the discussion back and forth so have at it if you want to .....

There are bears in our area, but they are seldom seen. Here is an example, you will sometimes hear in the news or the newspaper that a bear was spotted in so and so area, so please be sure to yada yada yada....in order to be safe. But, normally you just don't see them. I am close to forty now and have NEVER seen a bear in the woods around here and I have spent ALOT of time in the woods since I was a little kid. So, this was just a very rare occurrence. I suppose you could always be better prepared for the situation, but I honestly never felt in danger, so I doubt I will be changing my arsenal. As far as guns though.. There are a lot more times I wish I was carrying while detecting the city parks that I do... The folks that you run into are a lot scarier and probably more dangerous than Mr. Bear...


Anyhow, here are some better pictures of the finds.
Any idea on the button? It does have a nice design on the front but it is probably like many others I have recovered over the years in that it is perhaps interesting but not rare. I am fairly certain the backmark says LaFayette Bendedict. Interestingly enough, I can't find any information on that button maker though.. Maybe I am reading it wrong?

 

[Greylock]

That LC has some nice detail. Not sure about the button but it looks nice

 

[Ahab8]

That LC is in very nice condition. That button has got me intrigued....hopefully somebody will know. Great finds buddy

 

[Tnmountains]

Great relics to boot. Looks like you both are on a great spot. We have an ole sow hanging around one of my artifact hunts. She is huge and makes it spooky. Be safe I would be going back bear or not those are some sweet finds.
HH

 

[MichiganMan]

My unprofessional off-the-cuff evaluation of the Liberty Head is this--You have a large narrow date somewhere around F-12.

For some reason that button really strikes a cord with me. I like it very much. Nice pictures.

 

[beez0404]

Your post reminded me of a video my friend sent me awhile back. Someone sent it to him as he is a dedicated hunter. Enjoy!

 

[MichiganMan]

He obviously wanted a Slim Jim.

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I cannot find any information on the * Lafayette * Benedict * names on the back of the button. But a man named Aaron Benedict started a company in 1812 but I can find no connection with a Lafayette.